Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Monarda didyma Grand Parade 'Arcade'
Grand Parade Bee Balm
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Height
- 12 to 18 inches
- Width
- 12 to 18 inches
- Flower color
- Vibrant purple-pink, tufted flowers
- Foliage color
- Dark green, aromatic, and slightly toothed
- Bloom time
- Mid-summer to early fall
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; deadhead spent blooms, divide every few years to prevent mildew
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
About this plant
Monarda didyma Grand Parade 'Acrade' is a compact variety of bee balm known for its vibrant violet-purple blossoms that bloom in mid to late summer. The tubular flowers are arranged in dense, striking clusters atop sturdy stems, attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The vivid violet-purple blooms bring a splash of color and texture to garden spaces, making it a dynamic focal point during the blooming season.
This compact cultivar was developed for its vibrant flower color and improved resistance to common plant diseases. 'Arcade' is ideal for smaller gardens, sunny borders, and pollinator-friendly plantings, where its eye-catching blooms and aromatic foliage add charm and fragrance throughout the summer months.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Hummingbird Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Hostas · Ferns · Astilbes · Foxgloves · Bergenias · Sedums
Design tip
Fall bloom is its strength, and it earns a place near a path or seating area used late in the year. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
